Reduced form factor oral irrigator

ABSTRACT

An oral irrigator has a removable reservoir defining a reservoir cavity, a base unit housing a motor and a pump, and a handle for directing fluid flow from the pump removably connected to the base unit and fluidly coupled to the pump by a hose. The handle has a housing defining a slot formed in an outer wall of the housing. The slot is bounded by two opposing walls spaced apart from each other and a transverse wall at a terminal interior end of the opposing walls. The outer wall of the housing is open to the slot at lateral sides of the two opposing walls and at a base end of the opposing walls opposite the transverse wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No.62/286,925 filed on 25 Jan. 2016 entitled “Reduced Form Factor OralIrrigator,” and U.S. provisional application No. 62/416,926 filed on 3Nov. 2016 entitled “Reduced Form Factor Oral Irrigator,” each of whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. provisional application No.62/286,792 (Attorney Docket No. P258358.US.01) filed on 25 Jan. 2016entitled “Swivel Assembly for Oral Irrigator Handle,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to health and personal hygieneequipment and more particularly, to oral irrigators.

BACKGROUND

Oral irrigators typically are used to clean a user's teeth and gums bydischarging a pressurized fluid stream into a user's oral cavity. Thefluid impacts the teeth and gums to remove debris. Countertop oralirrigator units include a large reservoir that connects to a base unithousing the pump and other internal components. These units aretypically too large to be easily portable and therefore many users donot travel with countertop units. Handheld oral irrigator units aresmaller than most countertop units and may include a handle housinginternal components, such as a pump, motor, etc., and a reservoirintegrated with the handle or connected to the handle. While handheldirrigator units are typically smaller than countertop units and moreeasily portable, because the reservoir is connected to the handle, itoften is smaller than countertop unit reservoirs and thus may notprovide as much fluid for irrigating as desired by a user.

The information included in this Background section of thespecification, including any references cited herein and any descriptionor discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes onlyand is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of theinvention as defined in the claims is to be bound.

SUMMARY

In one implementation, an oral irrigator may be composed of a removablereservoir defining a reservoir cavity, a base unit housing a motor and apump, and a handle for directing fluid flow from the pump removablyconnected to the base unit and fluidly coupled to the pump by a hose.The handle may further include a housing defining a slot formed in anouter wall of the housing. The slot may be bounded by two opposing wallsspaced apart from each other and a transverse wall at a terminalinterior end of the opposing walls such that the outer wall of thehousing is open to the slot at lateral sides of the two opposing wallsand at a base end of the opposing walls opposite the transverse wall. Ina first configuration the reservoir is coupled to a top surface of thebase unit and the reservoir cavity is fluidly coupled to the pump. In asecond configuration, the base unit is fluidly decoupled from thereservoir cavity and the base unit is positioned within the reservoircavity.

In another implementation, a handle for an oral irrigator for directinga focused stream of fluid has a housing defining a slot formed in anouter wall of the housing. The slot may be bounded by two opposing wallsspaced apart from each other and a transverse wall at a terminalinterior end of the opposing walls such that the outer wall of thehousing is open to the slot at lateral sides of the two opposing wallsand at a base end of the opposing walls opposite the transverse wall. Insome implementations, the opposing walls are parallel to each other. Inother implementations, the two opposing walls are planar. In someimplementations, the opposing walls are both planar and parallel to eachother. In further implementations, the handle may extend from a firstend to a second end in a generally elongate form along a longitudinalaxis and the opposing walls defining the slot extend at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis.

In another implementation, an oral irrigator may include a removablereservoir defining a reservoir cavity, a base unit housing a motor and apump, and a power assembly in selective communication with the motor. Ina first configuration the reservoir is coupled to a top surface of thebase unit, the reservoir cavity is fluidly coupled to the pump, and thepower assembly is electrically connected to the motor. In a secondconfiguration, the base unit is fluidly decoupled from the reservoircavity, the base unit is positioned within the reservoir cavity, and thepower assembly is electrically disconnected from the motor and isreceived within a cavity defined in the base unit. In furtherimplementations, the base unit may include a base magnetic material. Thepower assembly may similarly include a retaining magnetic material. Thebase magnetic material and the retaining magnetic material may bealigned opposite to each other when the oral irrigator is in the secondconfiguration and attract each other to thereby secure the powerassembly within the base unit.

In a further implementation, an oral irrigator may include a base unit,a removable reservoir, and a belt drive assembly. The base unit mayhouse a motor and a pump. The removable reservoir may define a reservoircavity configured to mechanically couple to a top surface of the baseunit and fluidly couple the reservoir cavity to the pump. The belt driveassembly may connect the motor to the pump. The belt drive assembly mayfurther include a drive pulley connected to an output shaft of themotor, a driven pulley spaced apart from the drive pulley andmechanically connected to a piston that drives the pump, and acontinuous belt connecting the drive pulley to the driven pulley. In afurther implementation, a tensioning structure may exert a tension forceon the belt. In yet a further implementation, the tensioning structuremay include an idler pulley and a tension member. The idler pulley maybe positioned between and pivotably mounted with respect to the drivepulley and the driven pulley and positioned in contact with the belt.The tension member connected to the idler pulley and configured to pullthe idler pulley about a pivot to maintain a contact force with thebelt. In a further implementation, the base unit may include a chassisto which each of the motor, the driven pulley, and the idler pulley areattached. A bracket may be pivotably attached to the chassis. The idlerpulley may be rotationally attached to the bracket. The tension membermay be connected to the bracket at a first end and connected to thechassis at a second end. IN an additional implementation, the tensionmember is a torsion spring, the bracket is L-shaped, the idler pulley isattached to a first terminal end of the L-shaped bracket, and a firstend of the torsion spring is attached to a second terminal end of theL-shaped bracket. A center axis of the torsion spring may be alignedwith a pivot point of the L-shaped bracket.

In another implementation, an oral irrigator may include a base unit anda removable reservoir. The a base unit may be encased by a housingcovering a motor and drive system positioned in a first, dry compartmentformed in the base unit housing and a pump positioned in a second, wetcompartment formed in the base unit housing. The removable reservoir maydefine a reservoir cavity configured to mechanically couple to a topsurface of the base unit and fluidly couple the reservoir cavity to thepump. A piston may be connected at a first end to the drive system andconnected at a second end to the pump. A diaphragm seal may bepositioned between the dry compartment and the wet compartment throughwhich the piston passes. The diaphragm seal may further include a frame,two elastomeric bead seals, and an elastomeric bellows. The frame may bemade of a rigid material, define a center aperture, and have a dry faceoriented toward the dry compartment and a wet face oriented toward thewet compartment. A first elastomeric bead seal may be formed at leastpartially along and adjacent to at least a portion of a perimeter edgeof the dry face. A second elastomeric bead seal may be formed at leastpartially along and adjacent to at least a portion of a perimeter edgeof the wet face. The elastomeric bellows may seal against and extendacross the center aperture. The bellows may further define a centeropening configured to receive and seal about a shaft portion of thepiston.

In a further implementation, an oral irrigator may include a base unit,a removable reservoir, a handle, a first poppet valve, and a secondpoppet valve. The base unit may house a motor and a pump. The removablereservoir may define a reservoir cavity configured to mechanicallycouple to a top surface of the base unit and fluidly couple thereservoir cavity to the pump. The handle may be removably connected tothe base unit and fluidly coupled to the pump by a hose to direct fluidflow from the pump. The first poppet valve may be positioned in aremovable connector attached at a first end to the hose and releasablyattached at a second end to a port in the base unit in fluidcommunication with the pump. The first poppet valve may be configured toopen in response to fluid under pressure received from the pump to allowfluid to flow through the hose to the handle. The first poppet valve mayalso be configured to close in the absence of fluid under pressurereceived from the pump. The second poppet valve may be positioned in theport and configured to open in response to connection with the connectorand configured to close when the connector is removed from the port. Inadditional implementations, a shuttle valve may be positioned in thebase unit in fluid communication with the pump at a first end and withthe reservoir at a second end. The shuttle valve may be configured toblock a primary fluid flow passage to the reservoir when the pumpprovides a positive pressure stroke and configured to open the primaryfluid flow passage to the reservoir when the pump provides a negativepressure stroke. A third poppet valve may be housed in a valve cavitydefined within the shuttle valve. The third poppet valve may beconfigured to block fluid flow from the reservoir through the valvecavity and configured to open and allow fluid flow through the valvecavity toward the reservoir when fluid pressure at the first end of theshuttle valve exceeds a threshold pressure.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A moreextensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantagesof the present invention as defined in the claims is provided in thefollowing written description of various embodiments of the inventionand illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of an oral irrigator.

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of the oral irrigator of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a rear elevation view of the oral irrigator of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a bottom plan view of the oral irrigator of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a reservoir for the oral irrigator.

FIG. 3A is a front isometric view of a base for the oral irrigator.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a front isometric view of the base of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the base of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a lower housing for the base.

FIG. 6A is a front elevation view of operating components for the oralirrigator as arranged in the base.

FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the operating components of FIG. 6Aillustrating their layout in the base.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the oral irrigator taken along line6C-6C in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 6D is a side elevation view of the operating components of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a front isometric view of a drive assembly for the oralirrigator.

FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the drive assembly.

FIG. 8A is first side elevation view of a driven pulley for the driveassembly.

FIG. 8B is a side isometric view of the driven pulley for the driveassembly.

FIG. 9A is a top plan view of a connecting rod for the drive assembly.

FIG. 9B is a side elevation view of the connecting rod.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6C.

FIG. 11A is a front isometric view of a pump housing for a pumpassembly.

FIG. 11B is a rear isometric view of the pump housing of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a front isometric view of a regulator housing for a pressureassembly.

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the regulator housing taken alongline 12B-12B of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a pressure regulator valve.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a connection assembly.

FIG. 15A is a rear isometric view of the oral irrigator of FIG. 1A withthe power assembly in a use orientation.

FIG. 15B is front isometric view of the oral irrigator of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 is a front isometric view of the oral irrigator of FIG. 1A in astorage or collapsed position.

FIG. 17 is a rear isometric view of an alternate embodiment of an oralirrigator.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the oral irrigator taken along line18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19A is an exploded top isometric view of a power button assembly ofthe oral irrigator of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19B is an exploded bottom isometric view of a power button assemblyof the oral irrigator of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a front isometric view of a connecting rod of the oralirrigator of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a front isometric view of a driven pulley of the oralirrigator of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22A is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a driveassembly.

FIG. 22B is a front elevation view of the drive assembly of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23A is a front isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a hoselatch assembly.

FIG. 23B is rear isometric view of the hose latch assembly of FIG. 23A

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of an ejectbutton.

FIG. 25 is a right side elevation view of the handle of the oralirrigator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a right side isometric view of a diaphragm seal of the oralirrigator of FIG. 17.

FIG. 27 is a left side isometric view of the diaphragm seal of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of an actuator with a rack gear from theoral irrigator of FIG. 17.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a gear assembly attached to the pumpassembly which interfaces with the rack gear of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a front isometric view in cross section of the actuator ofFIG. 28 interfacing with the gear assembly of FIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example of the present disclosure includes an oral irrigator having areduced form factor as compared to conventional countertop oralirrigators. The oral irrigator includes a base, a removable reservoir, apower assembly, a drive assembly, a handle, and a pump assembly. In oneembodiment the reservoir and power assembly are each reconfigurable froma storage or collapsed position to a use or expanded position. Forexample, the reservoir can transition from being seated on a top surfaceof the base in the use position to the storage position where it isdisconnected from the base unit and the base unit is inserted into thereservoir cavity for storage. Similarly, the power assembly storeswithin a compartment in the base but is removed from the base andconnected to an electrical source, such as a power outlet, for use. Thehandle can also be selectively connected with and disconnected from thebase and reservoir to allow the handle to be removed and stored whendesired. Countertop irrigators use regular outlets (100-240V outlets)and are therefore more powerful and potentially more desirable to a userthan handheld units, which typically use a 2.4V battery pack. Inaddition, countertop irrigators are ready for use at anytime as long asan outlet is available. In contrast, handheld irrigators must be chargedbefore they can be used. For travel, a user may forget to charge theunit before departure and the unit may not be operational when the userarrives at his destination

The oral irrigator may also include a drive assembly having reducednoise as compared to conventional oral irrigators. The drive assemblyincludes a pinion pulley driven by a motor, a driven pulley indirectlydriven by a pinion pulley, and a belt connected to the pinion pulley andthe driven pulley to transfer motion from the pinion pulley to thedriven pulley. The belt seats on the outer surface of the two pulleysand reduces noise generated by the drive assembly as the pulleys, unlikegears, do not physically mesh with one another in order to transfermotion therebetween. The drive assembly may also include a tensionassembly to insure that the belt drive tension remains at an appropriatelevel based upon the load on the motor.

The driven pulley is connected to a connecting rod that drives a pistonto pump fluid between a reservoir and a handle. In one embodiment, theconnecting rod includes a bend or elbow extension. The bend allows aseal structure to seat around and seal against the connecting rod.

The oral irrigator includes a number of different valves for preventingfluid leakage in the storage and use configurations. For example, thebase and the handle each include connectors for sealing inlets andoutlets when the handle and base are disconnected from one another.These connectors prevent the hose connected to the handle and theaperture in the base for receiving the hose from leaking fluid when theoral irrigator is not in use.

Overview of the Oral Irrigator

With reference now to the figures, the oral irrigator of the presentdisclosure will be discussed in more detail. FIGS. 1A-1D illustratevarious views of an oral irrigator. With reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, theoral irrigator 100 includes a base 102, a reservoir 104, a handle 106connected to a tip 108, and a hose 110 fluidly connecting the handle 106to the base 102. The oral irrigator 100 also includes a power assembly134 removably connected to the base 102 and configured to electricallyconnect to the base 102 to provide power to various components withinthe oral irrigator 100. The reservoir 104, handle 106, and hose 110 areremovably connected to the base 102, allowing the oral irrigator 100 tobe collapsed to a storage configuration and inserted into a travel carrybag or other container for storage or transport.

The base 102 houses a motor, a pump assembly, a pressure assembly, andvarious connectors to fluidly connect the handle 106 to the reservoir104 and to pull fluid from the reservoir 104 and expel it from theoutlet of the tip 108. Each of the various components of the oralirrigator 100 will be discussed in detail below.

Reservoir

The reservoir 104 stores fluid, such as water, mouthwash, etc., for usewith the oral irrigator 100. FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of thereservoir 104. The reservoir 104 is generally rectangular in shape andincludes a front wall 152, rear wall 154, bottom wall 140, and twosidewalls 144, 144. The top end of the reservoir 104 is open and each ofthe front, rear, and side walls include a top edge 128, 129, 148, 150 atthe top end of the reservoir 104. In one embodiment, the top edges 128,129 of the front and rear walls 152, 154 vary in height along theirlength and curve upward toward a center of the reservoir 104. In otherwords, the front and rear walls 152, 154 have an increased height towardthe center as compared to the edges. In this manner, the top end of thereservoir 104 bows or arcs upward in the middle and downward toward eachof the sidewalls 144, 146.

Each of the walls is interconnected to define a reservoir compartment124 for holding fluid. In some embodiments, the edges interconnectingthe front wall 152, rear wall 154, bottom wall 140, and sidewalls 144,146 are curved to define a soft angle, rather than a right angle thatwould define a sharp edge. This curvature is not only aestheticallypleasing, but also allows the reservoir 104 and the oral irrigator 100to slide into and out of a packaging or container as the edges will notsnag on the material and also will distribute impact forces more evenlyacross the reservoir 104.

The reservoir compartment 124 is dimensioned and shaped not only to holda desired amount of fluid, but also to correspond to the shape anddimensions of the base unit 102. In particular, the reservoircompartment 124 is shaped such that the base unit 102 can fit easilywithin the reservoir compartment 124. A reservoir port 142 extendsdownward from the bottom wall 140 and is fluidly connected to thereservoir compartment 124 via an aperture defined through the bottomwall 140.

Base

The base 102 supports the reservoir 104 and encloses the pumping andoperating assemblies of the oral irrigator 100. FIGS. 3A-3D illustratevarious views of the base 102 with the reservoir and the power assemblyhidden. FIG. 3D differs from FIG. 3B in that a portion of the hoseconnector 112 is shown. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the base. FIG. 5is a top plan view of a lower housing of the base 102. With reference toFIGS. 3A-4, the base 102 includes a lower housing 178, an upper housing180, a face plate 182, and a trim ring 126, each of which interconnecttogether.

The trim ring 126 is an accent ring of material and includes a buttonring 186 connected thereto. In many embodiments the trim ring 126 is adifferent material from the other components of the base unit to providean aesthetically pleasing appearance. The trim ring 126 helps to securethe various base components together and may include ribs, flanges, andother fastening elements to press fit or otherwise connect to the othercomponents.

With reference to FIG. 4, the face plate 182 defines the top surface 120of the base 102 and assists in enclosing the interior compartments ofthe base 102. The face plate 182 may include cutouts, such as the upperhousing aperture 188 and button aperture 190 for exposing selectcomponents of the oral irrigator 100, but may be differently configuredas desired. In some embodiments, the face plate 182 may be a transparentmaterial, such as transparent plastic, and include a paint or coating onthe interior surface thereof. As the painted color is beneath the topouter surface, the outer surface of the transparent face plate 182 has ahigh gloss appearance. Additionally because the painted color is belowthe outer surface it will be less exposed to environmental wear and tearand thus last longer and be less likely to chip.

The upper housing 180 forms the sealing surface to substantially enclosethe internal compartment of the lower housing 178. The upper housing 180may also define a support surface for the reservoir 104 when thereservoir 104 is seated on top of the base 102. For example, the upperhousing 180 may include an engagement surface 122 having a concave shapethat bows downward toward the center and raises upward toward thesidewalls of the upper housing 180. A lip 196 may surround the perimeterof the engagement surface 122 and help to align the reservoir 104 withrespect to the engagement surface 122, as well as prevent fluids fromexiting the engagement surface 122 (such as those that leak from thereservoir 104 or down the sides of the reservoir).

The upper housing 180 may also include a sealing wall 192 and a portwall 194 extending downward from a bottom surface. The sealing wall 192may be a substantially planar member positioned toward the front middleend of the upper housing 180. The port wall 194 may be a generallycylindrically shaped wall positioned near the rear end of the upperhousing 180 and configured to receive elements for connecting thereservoir 104 to the base 102, such as valves and connectors.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-3D, and 5, the lower housing 178 of the baseunit 102 includes a front wall 164, a back wall 170, two sidewalls 166,168, and a bottom wall 202. The combination of the walls 164, 166, 168,170, 202 defines a base cavity 196 in which the pump assembly, pressureassembly, drive assembly, and other components are received and as suchmay be varied to accommodate those components as desired. In oneembodiment, the lower housing 178 includes a power block cavity 174defined in the back wall 170 (see FIG. 3C). The power block cavity 174is configured to receive the power assembly 134, which can be removedfrom the lower housing 178 as discussed below. In these embodiments, thelower housing 178 may include alignment and securing features, such asalignment ribs 176 extending along a length of the walls defining thepower block cavity 174. The alignment ribs 176 are configured to engagecorresponding grooves on the power assembly 134.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower housing 178 may also includea groove 198 defined on the upper surface of the bottom wall 202. Acontoured sealing wall 200 extends upward from the bottom wall 202 andis configured to correspond to a shape of the reservoir valve connectorand pressure actuator. The sealing wall 200 and the groove 198 aresealing components that assist in defining dry compartments 204, 208 anda wet compartment 206. The dry compartments 204, 208 are sealed from theexternal environment, as well as the components that are fluidlyconnected to the reservoir 104 to reduce damage to components storedtherein.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 4, the lower housing 178 also includes ahose aperture 160, a button aperture 162, a slide recess 184, and apower connector aperture 210 for connecting elements to the base unit102. The hose aperture 160 and the button aperture 162 are both definedthrough the front wall 164 and extend into the wet compartment 206.Similarly, the slide recess 184 defines a recessed track on sidewall 166and includes openings 212 (see FIG. 3A) for connecting an actuator tocomponents stored within the lower housing 178. The power connectoraperture 210 is defined through the back wall 170 and extends into thedry compartment 204.

Additionally, with reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the lowerhousing 178 includes a pocket 476 defined in the back wall 170 in thepower block cavity 174. The pocket 476 is defined in the internalcompartment of the lower housing 178 and is configured to receive amagnet 474. As will be discussed in more detail below, the magnet 474 isconfigured to interact with the power assembly to secure it in position.

Operating Components

The operating components of the oral irrigator 100 will now be discussedin more detail. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate various views of the mainoperating components of the oral irrigator with the various housingsremoved to better illustrate the internal components. As shown in FIGS.6A and 6B, the oral irrigator 100 may include a drive assembly 216, apump assembly 214, a pressure assembly 228, and a connection assembly230, each of which will be discussed, in turn, below. Each of theassemblies may be interconnected together and received within respectivecompartments within the lower housing 178.

Mechanical Power Transmission Assembly

The drive assembly 216 converts rotational movement from a motor intotranslational mechanical movement that drives the pump assembly 214.FIG. 7A illustrates a front isometric view of the drive assembly 216.FIG. 7B illustrates an exploded view of the drive assembly 216. Thedrive assembly 216 includes a motor 218, a pinion pulley 240, a drivenpulley 250, a belt 238, a ball bearing race 252 having inner and outerrings encompassing a ball bearing ring 244, belt securing flanges 231,248, a gear pin 232, and a connecting rod 236. The motor 218 includes adrive shaft 242 and, as shown in FIG. 6B, is electrically connected tothe male power connector socket 136 forming a power inlet of the base102 via wires 254.

The motor 218 may be substantially any type of device that convertselectricity into motion. In one embodiment, the motor 218 includes asignal conditioner such as a varistor.

The pinion pulley 240 is received around or otherwise secured to thedrive shaft 242 such that the pinion pulley 240 rotates with the driveshaft 242. The pinion pulley 240 optionally may include a plurality ofteeth 256 or grip elements for enhancing a frictional engagement withthe belt 238. However, depending on the configuration of the belt 238,the pinion pulley may not include teeth or may include other engagementfeatures.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate various views of the driven pulley 250. Thedriven pulley 250 is driven by the pinion pulley 240 via the belt 238.The driven pulley 250 may be a relatively cylindrically shaped dischaving a first surface or side 258 and a second surface or side 266. Inone embodiment, the driven pulley 250 includes a plurality of teeth 270or other engagement elements that extend radially outward from thesecond surface 266 and are oriented to face outward away from a centerof the pulley 250. A pin aperture 268 is defined through the drivenpulley 250 and extends between the first and second surfaces 258, 266.

With reference to FIG. 8B, the driven pulley 250 also includes anengagement boss 260 that extends outward from the first surface 258. Theengagement boss 260 may be formed as a cylindrical protrusion and mayinclude one or more ribs 264 extending lengthwise on an outer surfacethereof. In many embodiments, the engagement boss 260 is offset from acenter axis of the driven pulley 250. The bearing race 252 (see FIG. 7B)may seat around the engagement boss 260 and is held in place by the ribs264. For example, the pin aperture 268 is typically aligned with thecenter axis of the driven pulley 250 and the engagement boss 260 isoffset relative thereto to form an eccentric post. As the engagementboss 260 extends away from the first surface 258, in some embodiments, apin structure 262 may be arranged within the engagement boss 260 toincrease the length of the pin aperture 268, extending it through theheight of the engagement boss 260. In some embodiments, the pinstructure 262 may be longer than the height of the engagement boss 260.

With continued reference to FIG. 8B, the driven pulley 250 may alsoinclude a lip 257 or edge that defines a perimeter of the first surface258. The lip 257 may extend outward and upward from the first surface258 such that the first surface 258 is partially recessed below the edge257.

With reference again to FIG. 7B, the flanges 230, 248 are used forsecuring the belt 238 to the pulleys 240, 250 and as such may beconfigured to mate with and connect to the respective pulley. In someexamples, the flanges 230, 248 may be secured to the pulleys 240, 250using various attachment methods, such as ultrasonic welding, adhesive,riveting, etc. In some examples, the flanges 230, 248 may be integratedinto each of the pulleys 240, 250.

The belt 238 transmits rotation from the pinion pulley 240 to the drivenpulley 250. The belt 238 may include a plurality of teeth for engagingthe pinion pulley 240 and the driven pulley 250. In one embodiment, thebelt 238 is an MXL-type timing belt with a pitch of 0.08″ and a 3/16″width. However, many other types of belts with different pitch lengthand widths may be used, such as additional synchronous belts with othertiming profiles such as XL and L, or HTD type with pitches such as 3 mm,5 mm, or 8 mm, GT type with pitches such as 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 8 mmpitches, chevron style synchronous belts; round belts; flat belts;elastic belts; and V-shaped belts.

FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the connecting rod 236. FIG. 9B is a sideelevation view of the connecting rod 236. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B,the connecting rod 236 includes a connecting end 272 defining acylindrical ring having a plurality of tabs 285 extending inward from aninterior surface. The connecting end 272 is shaped and dimensioned to bereceived around the bearing race 252 and thereby around the engagementboss 260 of the driven pulley 250. The tabs 285 secure the connectingend 272 to the outer surface of the bearing race 252 (see FIG. 7B)thereby allowing the engagement boss 260 to rotate within thecylindrical ring of the connecting end 272. An arm 274 extends from theconnecting end 272. The arm 274 is generally straight, but includes anangled bend 276 or elbow in a middle portion thereof. The angled bend276 assists in allowing the drive assembly 216 to fit within the lowerhousing and maintain the reduced form factor of the oral irrigator 100.Additionally, the bend allows the connecting rod 236 to pass through andcenter on a seal between wet and dry compartments. From the angled bend276, the arm 274 transitions to a terminal end 278 having a ball 280.

As shown in FIG. 10, the drive assembly 216 also includes a diaphragmseal 480 having a seal top surface 484 and a rod aperture through acenter thereof. The seal top surface 484 extends radially outward fromthe rod aperture and then downward at an angle to define a flexibleskirt 486. The skirt 486 may be conical or frustum shaped and define abellows. The skirt 486 is flexible and configured to resiliently deformand return to its original shape. A crease at the bottom of the skirt486 varies as the seal is deformed. A beaded flange 482 extends radiallyoutward from a top end of the crease. The flange 482 includes a flat topsurface and a convexly curved bottom surface.

Pump Assembly

With reference to FIG. 10, which is an enlarged view of FIG. 6C, thepump assembly 214 includes a piston 283 that is driven by the driveassembly 216 and a pump body 284. The piston 283 is generallycylindrical and has on its top surface an annular flange 318 and aninterior pedestal 320. An annular valley is defined between the annularflange 318 and interior pedestal 320. A curved interior surface 321 onthe interior of the piston is configured to receiving the ball 280 ofthe connecting rod 236 in order to form a ball joint.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate front and rear isometric views of the pumpbody 284. The pump body 284 includes a pump wall 288 defining a pumpchamber 322 therein. A securing bracket 294 is connected to a sidesurface of the pump wall 288 and is configured to receive a fasteningelement. Additionally, a spring wall or post 292 extends from the sameside surface as the securing bracket 294 for receiving components of theeject button, discussed in more detail below. A hose interface 296 isconnected to a first end of the pump wall 288 and includes a plate 310having first and second sides with corresponding connection features forcoupling the pump body 284 to internal and external valves.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 11A, a valve housing 300 forinterfacing with the hose connector 112 extends from a first side of theplate 310. The valve housing 300 may be shaped as a cylindrical wall andinclude a ledge 302 extending concentrically within the valve housing300 from the plate 310. The ledge 302 may be shorter than the valvehousing 300 and terminate before an outer edge of the valve housing 300.The back wall 304 of the valve housing 300, which may form a portion ofthe first side of the plate 310, includes a pin recess 306 and a pumpoutlet 308. The pump outlet 308 is fluidly connected to the pump chamber322.

With reference to FIG. 11B, the rear side of the plate 310 includes atube 312 for interfacing with the pressure assembly 228 andcorresponding valves. The tube 312 may include one or more prongs 314extending from an interior surface thereof to engage with correspondingvalve elements. A pump inlet 316 is defined as an aperture through thetube 312 and is fluidly connected to the tube 312 and the interior ofthe pump chamber 322.

Pressure Assembly

With reference again to FIGS. 6A and 6C, the pressure assembly 228 willnow be discussed in more detail. The pressure assembly 228 allows a userto selectively adjust the pressure output by the oral irrigator 100. Inone embodiment, the pressure assembly 228 includes a regulator housing326, a dual valve assembly 328, and a pressure valve 344.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an isometric view and a cross-sectionalview, respectively, of the regulator housing 326. With reference toFIGS. 12A and 12B, the regulator housing 326 defines a body forreceiving the pressure valve 344 and the dual valve assembly 328.Additionally, the regulator housing 326 defines a fluid flow path fromthe reservoir 104 to the pump assembly 214 and so, in some embodiments,may also form a part of the pump housing.

The regulator housing 326 includes a main body 354 that may have agenerally cylindrical shape defining a main channel 362 therethrough. Aninlet 356 is fluidly connected to the main channel 362 and extends froma first end of the main body 354. A regulator outlet 364 is defined onthe opposite end of the main channel 362. A valve compartment 350 isdefined on a side of the main body 354 and includes a cavity forreceiving the pressure valve 344, two securing features 352 a, 352 bconnected to either side of the compartment 350, a valve inlet 358 and avalve outlet 360. The valve inlet 358 is fluidly connected to the mainchannel 362 and the valve outlet 360 is fluidly connected to the housinginlet 356. In other words, fluid flows through the valve compartment 350in the opposite direction it flows in the main channel 362 to in a sensesiphon fluid headed to the pump assembly 214 and direct it back to thereservoir 104. The regulator housing 326 may include a plurality ofsecuring features, such as brackets 366, 368 that are configured toreceive fasteners for securing the housing within the base 102.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of the pressure valve 344, thebiasing element 348, and the seal 340. With reference to FIGS. 6C and13, the pressure valve 344 is used to vary one or more characteristicsof the flow channel between the inlet and outlet 360, 358 in theregulator housing 326. With reference to FIGS. 6C, 6D, and 13, thepressure valve 344 includes a gear face 370 for interfacing with andconnecting to the gear 334 and a sealing face 374. The sealing face 374varies in the thickness and includes a flow channel 376 defined therein.The flow channel 376 varies in dimension and shape and extends in agenerally curved manner around a central area of the sealing face 374.

The seal 340 is biased against the sealing face 374 of the pressurevalve 344 and includes a flow aperture 378 defined therethrough. Theflow aperture 378 is typically in fluid communication with the flowchannel 376 of the sealing face 374 and the main channel 362 but varieswhere it engages with the flow channel 376 based on the position of thepressure valve 344, as discussed in more detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 6C and 6D, the pressure assembly 228 includesthe gear 334, a corresponding rack 380, and the actuator 114. The rack380 includes a plurality of teeth 382 that engage with the teeth 384 onthe gear 334. The actuator 114 is coupled to the rack 380, which moveslaterally relative to the rack bracket 336. For example, the rackbracket 336 may include one or more longitudinal grooves and the rack380 may include pegs that are received into the grooves to secure therack 380 to the bracket 336. The grooves allow the rack 380 to slidelaterally relative to the bracket 336. The actuator 114 is connected tothe rack 380 and configured to move the rack 380 in the lateraldirection to actuate the gear 334, as discussed in more detail below.

With reference to FIG. 10, the dual valve assembly 328 will now bediscussed in more detail. The dual valve assembly 328 acts both as aregulator valve to regulate fluid into and out of the reservoir into thepump chamber 322, as well as to help prevent damage to the pump in theevent of a blockage at the tip, such as activation of a pause button onthe handle 106, such that the dual valve acts as a check valve. For theprimary valve function of the dual valve assembly 328, the dual valveassembly 328 includes a valve housing 388 which may be a substantiallycylindrical hollow component and is configured to slide within the mainchannel 362. The valve housing 388 terminates in a terminal end 394having an aperture defined through a front surface thereof. The secondend of the valve housing 388 includes a seal cap 398 that includes aflow channel 400 defined therethrough. The flow channel 400 is incommunication with the reservoir connector 330.

For the secondary or check valve function, the dual valve assembly 328includes a spring actuated valve within the valve housing 388. Inparticular, a support post 396 having a flow channel definedtherethrough is connected to the seal cap 398, a biasing element 392 isreceived within the valve housing 388 and aligned with the support post396. A plunger 390 is connected to the biasing element 392 andconfigured to move therewith. The plunger 390 may include a taperedshape, such as a cone or frustum, and has a terminal end diameter thatis the same diameter as that of the aperture in the terminal end 394 ofthe valve housing 388. The force of the biasing element 392 is selectedto be overcome by fluid back pressure that exceeds a predeterminedamount, such as the pressure build up due to a blockage of the jet tip108.

Handle Connection Assembly

The connection assembly 230 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG.14 illustrates an exploded view of the connection assembly 230. Withreference to FIGS. 6C and 14, the connection assembly 230 includes anoutlet fitting 402, a spring bearing 406, a biasing element 408, apoppet 410, a poppet cap 412, a top cap 416, and sealing members 404,414. The outlet fitting 402 interfaces with the pump body 284 andincludes a central boss 418 having a cavity 420 defined therethrough.The outlet fitting 402 may include one or more securing flanges 422 a,422 b for receiving fasteners to secure to the pump body, portions ofthe housing, etc.

The bearing 406 includes a support post 424 (see FIGS. 6C and 10)extending from a rear surface and a receiving post 426 extending from afront surface. The posts 424, 426 are configured to be positioned withina receiving recess in the pump body 284 and receive the biasing member408, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 14, the poppet 410 is a generally cylindrical bodyhaving a tapered end with a closed tip 428. One or more fluid apertures430 may be defined by the sidewalls of the body. The end cap 412 isconfigured to seat on the closed tip 428 of the poppet 410 and may beconfigured to correspond to the shape and dimension of the closed tip428 such that it may be press fit onto the closed tip 428 end of thepoppet 410.

The top cap 416 forms the end component of the connection assembly 230and is connected to the outlet fitting 402 with the various componentsof the connection assembly 230 positioned between the two. The sealingcomponents may be O-rings, such as seal element 404, or seal-cups, suchas seal member 414 and may be positioned around select components of theconnection assembly 230 or as desired to create fluid-proof connections.

The latch assembly 432 selectively connects and disconnects the hoseconnector 112 to the base 102 will now be discussed in more detail. Withreference to FIGS. 6A, 6C, and 10, the latch assembly 432 includes theeject button 118, a biasing element 444, and a latch 434. The ejectbutton 118 is configured to actuate the latch 434 and includes an outersurface that a user actuates, a central cavity 446 for receiving thebiasing element 444 and a tapered interior actuation tip 442. Theactuation tip 442 is shaped as a frustum or blunt ended cone that slowlyincreases in diameter from the most interior surface toward the outersurfaces. As will be discussed in more detail, the actuation tip 442 isconfigured to move the latch 434 from an engaged position to a releasedposition. The latch 434 includes two latch arms 436 a, 436 b connectedtogether at one end by a leaf spring 440. Each of the latch arms 436 a,436 b are generally elongated members and include detents 438 a, 438 bextending inward from a first sidewall toward the opposite arm.

The hose connector 112 is used to fluidly connect the handle 106 to thebase 102 and will now be discussed in more detail. With reference toFIGS. 3D and 10, the hose connector 112 includes a connector body 452with a cap 450 connected thereto. The connector body 452 defines aninterior lumen 456 housing a spring actuated valve and a lower body 462that is partially inserted to the base 102, as discussed in more detailbelow. The interior lumen 456 of the connector body 452 is fluidlyconnected to a prong lumen 466 that is defined by a prong 464 extendingdownward from a bottom end of the connector body 452. The prong 464 ispositioned within a central region of the lower body 462 and includesone or more fluid apertures 468 defined as cutouts in its bottom end forfully connecting the prong lumen 466 to the pump assembly 214. Thebottom end of the lower body 462 includes an external flange 470extending circumferentially around the lower body 462. The externalflange 470 selectively engages the latch 434 to secure the hoseconnector 112 to the base 102.

With reference to FIGS. 3D and 10, the hose connector 112 includes aleak valve in the form of a poppet 460 and a biasing element 458. Thebiasing element 458 is secured to a post extending from a bottom surfaceof the cap 450 and biases the poppet 460 toward the entrance to theprong lumen 466. The poppet 460 is selected to have a diameter that islarger than the entrance to the lumen 466 such that when activated thepoppet 460 seals the entrance and prevents fluid, such as water stuck inthe hose 110 after use of the irrigator, from leaking out when the hoseconnector 112 is removed from the base. However, the biasing element 458is selected such that its force is able to be easily overcome by thefluid pressure expelled by the pump assembly 214.

Assembly of the Oral Irrigator

The assembly of the oral irrigator 100 will now be discussed. It shouldbe noted that the below discussion is not meant to convey a particularassembly order, but merely to describe the connection of differentelements to one another. As such, the below discussion is meant asillustrative only. With reference to FIGS. 5, 6B, 6C, 7A, and 7B, thedrive assembly 216 is connected together and secured to the lowerhousing 178 of the base 102. The chassis 220 and the motor 218 areconnected together and secured in the dry compartment 208 of the lowerhousing 178.

The pinion pulley 240 is positioned on the drive shaft 242 of the motor218 and the belt 238 is slid over the outer surface of the pinion pulley240 with the belt teeth meshing with the teeth 256 on the outer surfaceof the pinion pulley 240. The flange 231 is then connected to the outerperimeter of the pinion pulley 240 to secure the belt on the outersurface of the pinion pulley 240. The ball bearing race 252 is receivedaround the outer surface of the engagement boss 260 of the driven pulley250 and the connecting end 272 of the connecting rod 236 or crank isreceived around the outer surface of the ball bearing race 252. The belt238 is positioned on the outer surface of the driven pulley 250 and theflange 248 is connected to the pulley 250 to secure the belt 238 on thepulley. The belt 238 may alternatively be connected to the pulleys 240,250 after the pulleys are connected to their driving components orrespective shafts.

The gear pin 232 is then received through the aperture in the pinstructure 262 of the driven pulley 250 and connected to a correspondinggroove in the chassis 220. The securing bracket 222 (see FIG. 7A) isthen connected to the chassis 220 via a plurality of fasteners connectedto bosses extended from the chassis 220, such as bosses 220 a, 220 b,220 c. With reference to FIGS. 6C and 10, the connecting rod 236 isinserted into an aperture defined through the first sealing plate 488and the top surface 484 of the diaphragm seal 480 is positioned betweenthe two sealing flanges 282 a, 282 b of the connecting rod 236. Thebeaded flange 482 of the seal is clamped in position and the secondsealing plate 490 is positioned over the edge of the diaphragm seal 480and engages with the outer surface of the first sealing plate 488. Thefirst and second sealing plates 488, 490 are then clamped together withfasteners, with the edges of the diaphragm seal being clampedtherebetween and the connecting rod extending between apertures in thetwo plates 488, 490. In this configuration, the connecting rod 236 andthe seal 480 create a fluid seal between the dry compartment 208 and thewet compartment 206 in the lower housing 178 of the base 102.

The pump assembly 214 is connected and coupled to the drive assembly216. With reference FIGS. 6C and 10, the piston 283 is connected to theball 280 of the connecting rod 236. The pump body 284 is secured to thelower housing 178 of the base unit via fasteners connected to thesecuring bracket 294.

With reference to FIGS. 10, 11A, and 14, the connection assembly 230 isassembled and connected to the pump body 284. In particular, the supportpost 424 of the bearing 406 is received within the pin recess 306 in theback wall 304 of the valve housing 300 in the pump body 284. The biasingelement 408 is then positioned around the post 426 of the bearing 406.The poppet 410 is received around the biasing element 408 with the cap412 connected to the end portion of the poppet 410 with the closed tip428. The outlet fitting 402 is positioned over the valve assembly suchthat the poppet 410 is positioned within the boss 418. The O-ring 404 isreceived between the fitting 402 and the pump body 284 and in oneembodiment is held in position by the securing flanges 422 a, 422 b,which are connected by fasteners to the securing posts 298 a, 298 b ofthe pump body 284. The seal member 414 may be a cup that is positionedwithin the top cap 416, which is then press fit or otherwise secured tothe top end of the boss 418.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11A, the eject button 118 and biasingelement 444 are connected to the pump body 284. In particular, thebiasing element 444 is received in the spring wall or post 292 and thelatch 434 is connected around the biasing element 444 with the armsextending around the connection assembly 230. Then, the eject button 118is connected to the biasing element 444 with the latch 434 positionedbetween the eject button 118 and the pump body 284. The biasing element444 is received within the central cavity 446 of the eject button 118with the actuation tip 442 being oriented toward the pump body 284.

The pressure assembly 228 is assembled and the dual or check valveassembly 328 is received within the main channel 362 of the regulatorhousing 326. The end portion of the dual valve assembly 328 ispositioned within the tube 312 of the pump body 284 and abuts againstthe prongs 314. The inlet 356 to the regulator housing is connected tothe reservoir connector 330 and the regulator housing 326 is thensecured to the lower housing 178 via the securing bracket 366, 368 andtwo fasteners. The reservoir connector 330 and the regulator housing 326are positioned in the wet compartment 206 of the lower housing 178. Theregulator housing 326 and the pump body 284 are connected together viafasteners securing the securing posts 298 c, 298 c of the pump body 284and the securing brackets 367 of the regulator housing 326 together.

With reference to FIGS. 6C, 12A, 12B, and 13 the pressure valve 344 isconnected to the regulator housing 326. For example, the biasing element348 is received within the inlet 358 of the valve compartment 350 in theregulator housing 326 and the seal 340 is received around the biasingelement 348. An O-ring 342 is positioned in the groove 372 in the valve344 and the valve 344 is positioned in the valve compartment 350 withthe sealing face 374 positioned to face the back wall of the valvecompartment 350.

With reference to FIGS. 6C and 6D, the actuation assembly is thenconnected to the pressure valve 344. In particular, the rack bracket 336is positioned against the regulator housing 326 aligned such that thefastening posts 352 a, 352 b align with corresponding features on therack bracket 336. The rack bracket 336 is secured via fasteners to theregulator housing 326. The gear 334 is connected to the valve 344 by afastener, such as a screw, and the rack 380 is press fit into thelongitudinal slots in the rack bracket 336. The actuator 114 is thenconnected to the rack 380 and select teeth 382 are positioned to engageselect teeth 384 of the gear 334.

Power Button

With reference to FIGS. 6B and 6D, the power button 116 is secured on abracket 431 and is electrically connected to the motor 218 through acircuit board 131 that electrically connects the motor 218 to a powersource coupled to the power port formed by the male power connectorsocket 136 and the power assembly 134.

With reference to FIGS. 6B and 6D, in the assembled positioned, thedrive assembly 216, pump assembly 214, connection assembly 230, andpressure assembly 228 are arranged in a U type shape when viewed from atop plan view. In this manner, the central region of the base 102 can behollow to allow insertion of the power assembly 134 in the storageconfiguration or to define a battery compartment for receiving a battery(or other accessory storage). In one embodiment, the motor 218 isarranged so as to be substantially perpendicular to the pump body 284and substantially parallel to the regulator housing 326. Further, thepump body 284 is arranged to be perpendicular to the reservoir connector330 and the reservoir outlet. These types of arrangements allow the oralirrigator 100 to have a reduced size, both in width and height.

With reference to FIG. 4, once the internal components are connectedtogether and received within the lower housing 178, the upper housing180 is secured to the lower housing 178. The sealing wall 192 of thelower housing assists in sealing the dry compartment 208 from the wetcompartment 206 in the lower housing 178. The port wall 194 of the upperhousing 180 is positioned around a portion of the reservoir connector330 to help prevent fluids from leaking from the reservoir connectorinto the secondary dry compartment 204. The upper housing 180 is securedin a number of different manners, such as press fit, sonic welding,adhesive, fasteners, or the like. The face plate 182 is secured on topof the upper housing 180 and the trim ring 126 is positioned underneaththe face plate 182 to surround the perimeter of the face plate 182. Theface plate 182 and the upper housing 180 to secure the position of thetrim ring 126.

Separable Power Assembly

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 3C, in the storage position, the powerassembly 134 is inserted into the power block cavity 174 of the lowerhousing 178. The alignment ribs 176 align with corresponding grooves onthe power assembly 134 to guide the power assembly 134 into the powerblock cavity 174. Additionally, the magnet 474 (see FIG. 5) in the lowerhousing 178 attracts a corresponding magnet in the power assembly 134 tosecure the power assembly 134 in place with the front wall of the powerassembly resting against the back wall of the power block cavity 174.

With reference to FIG. 16, in the storage configuration 500, the base102 with the power assembly 134 secured in the power block cavity 174 isinserted into the reservoir 104. As shown in FIG. 16, the base 102 issized to fit completely within the reservoir 104 and the top edges 128,129 of the reservoir 104 may extend partially beyond the front wall 164of the base 102. The eject button 118 and the top cap 416 of theconnection assembly 230 do not extend past the edge of the reservoir 104and so will not snag on fabric or other elements if the oral irrigator100 is received within a carrying case. In the storage configuration500, the oral irrigator 100 is configured to be easily inserted into acase or compartment and the reservoir 104 acts as a hard container forprotecting the internal components of the base 102 and also enhances theability of the oral irrigator 100 to easily slide into a fabric or othersimilar type of case.

Operation of the Oral Irrigator

Operation of the oral irrigator 100 will now be discussed in moredetail. FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate rear and front isometric views,respectively, of the oral irrigator 100 in the use configuration 510. Touse the irrigator, the base 102 is removed from the reservoir 104 andthe reservoir 104 is connected to the top of the base 102. The reservoir104 sits within and on top of the engagement surface 122. The engagementsurface 122 may be contoured to match the shape of the reservoir 104 andthe lip 196 surrounding the engagement surface 122 helps to preventfluid from the reservoir 104 from leaking out of the base 102. Thereservoir port 142 (see FIG. 2) is received within the reservoiraperture 156 defined in the base 102. The reservoir port 142 ispositioned around the reservoir connector 330 and the reservoir valve158, which activates the valve to allow flow from the reservoir to thepressure assembly 228.

The power assembly 134 is removed from the power block cavity 174 in thebase 102 and the prongs 514 are unfolded from the housing. A power cord512 can then be connected to the male power connector socket 136 of thepower port in the base 102 and the power assembly 134. When the powerassembly 134 is connected to a power source, such as a wall outlet,electricity can flow from the power assembly 134 to the circuit board131 in the base 102 to provide power to the oral irrigator 100. In someembodiments the power assembly 134 may include one or more convertingcomponents that convert the power source from alternating current todirect current, but the type of conversion (if any) depends on the typeof motor and the components that may be positioned within the base 102.

The handle 106 is then fluidly connected to the base 102. The hoseconnector 112 is connected to the connection assembly 230. Withreference to FIG. 10, the lower body 462 of the hose connector 112 isinserted such that the prong 464 is inserted into the top cap 416 of theconnection assembly 230. The prong 464 compresses the cap 412 of thepoppet 410, which in turn compresses the biasing element 408. As the cap412 moves downward with the compression of the biasing element 408, thecap 412 unseats from the top end of the outlet fitting 402, allowingfluid to flow from the outlet fitting 402 into the fluid apertures 468in the prong 464. Additionally, the hose connector 112 biases the arms436 a, 436 b (see FIG. 6A) of the latch 434, which flex due to thespring 440 to open to engage the outer surface of the lower body 462 ofthe hose connector 112. The detents 438 a, 438 b are positioned aroundthe lower body 462 to secure the hose connector 112 in position. Torelease the hose connector 112, a user presses the eject button 118,which compresses the biasing element 444, and moves the eject button 118such that the tapered actuation tip 442 moves toward the latch 434,moving the arms 436 a, 436 b away from one another, moving the detents438 a, 438 b away from another. As this occurs, the biasing element 408of the connection assembly 230 exerts a force against the poppet 410 andthe poppet cap 412 that pushes the prong 464 outward away from thefitting 402. This acts to help force the hose connector 112 out ofengagement with the connection assembly 230. The user can then removethe hose connector 112.

When the hose connector 112 is removed from the connection assembly 230,the biasing element 458 seals the poppet 460 in the hose connector 112to prevent fluid from leaking from the hose connector 112 through theentrance to the prong 464.

With the handle 106 fluidly connected to the base 102, the user turnsthe oral irrigator 100 on by pressing the power button 116. The motor218 is then electrically connected to the power source and turns on.With reference to FIG. 6C, as the motor 218 operates, the drive shaft242 rotates, rotating the pinion pulley 240. As the pinion pulley 240rotates, the belt 238 moves, causing the driven pulley 250 to rotateabout the gear pin 232. The rotation of the driven pulley 250 causes theconnecting rod 236 to move correspondingly, slipping by its engagementwith the bearing race 252. This causes the connecting rod 236 to move ina substantially lateral movement, although the driven pulley 250 ismoving in a rotational movement. The belt drive for the drive assembly216 allows the size of the base unit 102 to be reduced because there isno need for a separate gear housing that is typically used to preventgrease from possibly mixing into the fluid and/or interfere with theoperation of other components. Further, the belt drive reduces the noiseas the teeth of the pulleys do not directly mesh with one another,eliminating the need for the drive assembly to be mounted above thebottom floor of the lower housing 178, which may typically be done inconventional oral irrigators to reduce vibrations.

As the connecting rod 236 moves laterally with respect to the sealingplates 488, 490, the diaphragm seal 480 moves therewith. Because thediaphragm seal 480 merely changes in length (as the bellows expands andcontracts), the seal 480 does not exert a drag force on the connectingrod 236, enhancing the efficiency of the drive assembly 216, whilemaintaining the seal between the dry and wet compartments 206, 208.

With continued reference to FIG. 6C, as the connecting rod 236 moves,the piston 283 moves laterally within the pump chamber 290 in the pumpbody 284. On a downward stroke, the piston 283 moves toward the sealingplates 488, 490, increasing the available volume within the pump chamber290, creating a vacuum pull. This vacuum causes fluid from the reservoir104 to flow through the reservoir valve, into the reservoir connector330 and into the regulator housing 326. The force created by the piston283 movement also pulls the dual valve assembly 328 toward the pumphousing 234, unseating the dual valve assembly 328 from the inlet 356 ofthe regulator housing 326. This allows fluid from the reservoirconnector 330 to flow into the main channel 362, around the dual valveassembly 328, and into the pump chamber 290.

On an upward stroke, the piston 283 moves toward the valve housing 300of the pump body 284. This forces fluid within the pump chamber 290 outof the pump chamber 290 and into the outlet 308 in the pump body 284.The fluid then flows into the outlet fitting 402, around the poppetvalve 410 and into the fluid apertures 468 in the prong lumen 466 of theprong 464 of the hose connector 112. The fluid force overcomes thebiasing force exerted by the biasing element 458 in the hose connector112, and unseats the poppet form the aperture connecting the prong lumen466 to the interior lumen 456 of the housing, which then flows into thehose 110 and into the handle 106 and out the tip 108.

To adjust the pressure during operation, the user moves the actuator114. With reference to FIGS. 6C and 6D, lateral movement of the actuator114 causes the rack 380 to slide relative to the rack bracket 336,causing the gear 334 to rotate. As the gear 334 rotates, with referenceto FIGS. 6C and 13, the pressure valve rotates, causing the inlet 358 tothe valve compartment 350 in the regulator housing 326 to open, allowingfluid to bypass from entering into the pump body 284. The fluid flowsthrough the inlet 358 through the valve compartment 350 within the flowchannel 376 in the pressure valve 344 to the valve outlet 360 and backto the reservoir 104. The amount of fluid allowed to flow through thebypass channel defined by the sealing face 374 varies based on thelocation of the sealing face 374 relative to the valve inlet 358, thusrotating the gear 334 further in a particular direction will align awider or shorter portion of the channel 376 with the inlet 358, decreaseor increasing, respectively, the pressure output by the pump to the tip108.

Handle

With reference to FIGS. 1B and 25, the handle 106 may include a handlehousing 520 having a front housing half 520 a and a rear handle housing520 b. An angled hanging slot 522 may be formed in the rear handlehousing 520 b generally extending between each lateral side of the rearhandle housing 520 b and further extending in depth toward the tip 108.The hanging slot 522 may be bounded by two opposing walls 525 a, 525 bspaced apart from each other and a transverse wall 523 at a terminalinterior end of the opposing walls 525 a, 525 b such that the outer wallof the rear handle housing 520 b is open to the hanging slot 522 atlateral sides of the two opposing walls 525 a, 525 b and at a base endof the opposing walls 525 a, 525 b opposite the transverse wall 525. Insome embodiments the opposing walls may be parallel to each other,planar, or both. The hanging slot 522 may be centered along the lengthof the handle housing 520 or otherwise positioned to be centered on thecenter of mass of the handle 106 in order to aid in balancing the handle106 when hung on a support using the hanging slot 522. The width of thehanging slot 522 may be congruent with the thickness of the walls of thereservoir 104 at the top edges 128, 129. The top edges 128, 129 of thereservoir 104 may thus fit within the hanging slot until a location atthe top edges 128, 129 abuts the support surface 523. The hanging slot522 thereby allows the handle 106 to hang from the top edges 128, 129 ofthe reservoir 104. With this hanging slot 522, typical handle supportelement, such as C-clamps, cradles, or the like, can be omitted,reducing the number of parts for the oral irrigator 100, thus decreasingcosts. The angle of the slot 522 may be selected to intersect thelongitudinal axis of the handle 106 such that the handle 106 does nothang parallel to the reservoir 104, to make it easier for a user to griparound the handle 106 in the space between the reservoir 104 and thehousing 520. However, in other embodiments, the groove may besubstantially vertical relative to a length of the housing 520 to allowthe handle 106 to hang more parallel to the reservoir walls.

The handle 106 may also include elements such as a pause button, tipeject, swivel, or the like. An example of these types of components anda handle that can be used with the oral irrigator 100 is described inrelated U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on 25 Jan. 2017entitled “Swivel Assembly for Oral Irrigator Handle,” (which claimspriority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/286,792 filed on25 Jan. 2016), which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Alternate Embodiment

An alternate embodiment of an oral irrigator 1700 is additionallycontemplated, which is substantially similar to the embodiment of FIGS.1-16 and incorporates the components and operation as previouslydescribed. The alternate embodiment and components thereof are shown inFIGS. 17-21. In this alternate embodiment, the size and arrangement ofthe components installed within the lower base unit have been altered inorder to achieve different benefits than offered in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-16. Such benefits may include a power assembly withnon-adjustable prongs, a circuit board positioned centrally within theunit to create a generally balanced assembly, a stronger connectionbetween the power connector and power connector socket, and a linearmechanical power transmission assembly.

With reference to FIG. 17, in general, the location of the componentspositioned within the base 1702 have been reconfigured to, at least inpart, create additional space for the power assembly and its prongs.Additional differences are discussed further below.

Power Assembly

Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B and with referenceto FIG. 17, the power assembly 1734 is configured to fit within thepower block cavity 1774 of the base 1702. The layout of the componentswithin the base 1702 has been rearranged, thereby creating additionalspace for the power assembly 1734 and enabling the power assembly 1734to no longer require prongs 1714 that are adjustable and collapse whenstored within the power block cavity 1774. The size of the powerassembly 1734 has also been reduced, creating more space in the mainbody of the base 1702. The alternate configuration of the variouscomponents within the base 1702 and the decreased power assembly 1734size creates a prong space 1775 for the non-collapsible ornon-adjustable extended prongs 1714 of the power assembly 1734 to slideinto. With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the extended prongs 1714 mayfit within the additional space 1775 of the power block cavity 1774 suchthat the power assembly 1734 no longer requires collapsible oradjustable prongs in order to fit within the power block cavity 1774,and therefore the extended prongs 1714 do not unfold, collapse, oradjust with respect to the power assembly 1734. The power assembly 1734fits within the power block cavity 1774 in the base 1702.

Circuit Board Location

An alternate embodiment of the oral irrigator base 1702 as shown in FIG.18 relocates the circuit board 131 from the position shown in FIG. 6C.With reference to FIG. 18, the optimized configuration of the componentsinstalled within the base 1702 also allows for the circuit board 1831 tobe located central to the overall base 1702, between the drive assembly1814 and the power block cavity 1774. The circuit board 1831electrically connects the motor 1818 to a power source coupled to thepower connector socket 1836 and the power assembly 1734. The centrallocation of the circuit board 1831 allows for the simplified location ofthe wires 1854 connecting the motor 1818, the power button 1916 (shownin FIGS. 19A and 19B), and the power connector socket 1836, as comparedto the circuit board 131 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-16, which islocated in the dry compartment 204 (shown in FIG. 6C), and wires 254connecting the various powered elements are run in a space between thelower housing 178 and the upper housing 180 above the power block cavity174 (shown in FIGS. 6A-6D). The simplified location of wires 1854 in theembodiment of FIG. 18 may require less wire 1854 to be used than in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-16 and require a potentially less circuitousrouting of the wires throughout the base 1702, potentially decreasingthe assembly cost of the oral irrigator and creating a more robustdesign overall. This placement of the circuit board 1831 in thislocation is near the center of the oral irrigator base 1702 to helpprotect the circuit board 1831 against electrostatic discharges whichmay impact the outer walls of the main enclosure.

Power Button Structure

An alternate embodiment of the structure surrounding the power button1916 is shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. The power button 1916 may include aflexible PCB 1999 with a dome switch and an adhesive backing. Theflexible PCB 1999 is installed between the button 1916 and the bracket1931, and the adhesive side of the flexible PCB 1999 may be positionedadjacent bracket 1931. The flexible PCB 1999 may help provide the userwith a tactile feel when the button 1916 is depressed, which may helpenhance the user experience. A silicone seal may be adhesively coupledto the button 1916. When assembled, the button 1916 is sandwichedbetween the bracket 1931 and the upper housing 194, with the outer edgeof the silicone seal compressed between the bracket 1931 and the housing194. This seal further protects the internal components connected to thepower button 1916 from exposure to liquids that may inadvertentlycontact the power button 1916.

Power Connector Connection

An alternate embodiment for the male power connector socket 136 of thebase 102 within the power connector aperture 210 is also provided. Withreference to FIG. 18, and similar to the original embodiment shown inFIG. 3C, the power connector aperture 1810 is defined through the backwall 1870 and extends into the dry compartment 1804 of the base 1702.The male power connector socket 1836 is installed within the powerconnector aperture 1810, and has two pins 1898. After installation, themale power connector socket 1836 is then connected to the base 1702 byway of welding, applying epoxy or other waterproof adhesive between thecomponents, using a press fit, or other similar techniques. In anexample where the male power connector socket 1836 is welded to the base1702, a waterproof membrane is created. The male power connector socket1836 may be manufactured using an insert molding technique, which maycreate a male power connector socket 1836 that has good wear resistanceand tensile strength. In addition, the male power connector socket 1836may be welded to the power block cavity 1774, increasing the strengthand durability of the connection of the power connector socket 1836 tothe power block cavity 1774 and the base 1702. In addition, the weldingand insert molding technique may create waterproof connections thatwould otherwise require additional seals, which would otherwise requireadditional costs and assembly time. Furthermore, these features may bedesirable as the male power connector socket 1836 will be repeatedlyexposed to wear through repeated engagement and disengagement with thefemale power connector plug 1799 of the power assembly 1734 with theoral irrigator. With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the female powerconnector plug 1799 is attached to the power cord 1712 connected to theinverter and mechanically and electrically couples with the male powerconnector socket 1836 to provide an electrical connection to allow thetransfer of electrical power through the power assembly 1734 to the oralirrigator 1700.

Vibrational Dampening

The embodiment shown in FIG. 18 may also feature an alternate connectionbetween the motor 1818 and the base 1702. The motor 1818 may beconnected to the base 1702 through a bracket 1897. To dampen vibrationstransmitted between the motor 1818 and the base 1702, an O-ring 1896 maybe installed between the motor and the bracket 1897. In addition todampening vibrations, the O-ring 1896 may also help shift the ambientresonant frequency of the bracket away from an ambient resonantfrequency of the oral irrigator 1700 during operation to furtherdecrease potential vibrations transmitted between the motor 1818 and thebase 1702 and reduce the possibility of the system operating at itsnatural frequency or a multiple thereof during use. While not shown, itis also contemplated that the pump assembly 214 may be modified withadditional vibration reduction components. This may help decreasevibrations and shift any resonant frequencies that may exist between thepump assembly 214 and its connection to the base 1702.

Piston and Wet/Dry Compartment Seal

Another embodiment for a diaphragm seal 4800 for use in the design ofthe irrigator base in FIG. 18 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 26 and27. The diaphragm seal 4800 may be manufactured using an overmold-typedesign in which a hard plastic frame 4802 defines a center aperture 4804across which the bellows 4806 extends. Additionally, U-shaped channels4808 a, 4808 b may be form directly opposite each other in opposingfaces of the frame 4802, i.e., a dry face 4810 a (facing the motor andelectrical compartments) and a wet face 4810 b (facing the compartmentwith the pump and valve components). A number of pass-through holes (notvisible) may be formed spaced apart from each other along the lengths ofthe U-shaped channels 4808 a, 4808 to extend between the U-shapedchannels 4808 a, 4808. A pair of U-shaped bead seals 4812 a. 4812 b maybe positioned within the U-shaped channels 4808 a, 4808 and extend abovea surface of each of the dry face 4810 a and the wet face 4810 b,respectively. Additionally, a number of through holes 4814 may be formedin the plastic frame 4802 spaced apart surrounding the center aperture4804 and the bellows 4806.

In these examples, the bellows 4806 and the bead seals 4812 a, 4812 bmay be manufactured by overmolding a flexible rubber, such as NBR orHNBR or other nitrile, on the hard plastic frame 4802. During themolding process, the injected rubber may flow through the pass-throughholes in the channels 4808 a, 4808 to form the bead seals 4812 a. 4812b. The rubber ma further coat the frame on the dry face 4810 a of theframe 4802 in order to connect the bellows 4806 to the bead seal 4812 a.The rubber may further fill the through holes 4814 to form a number ofplugs 4816 that provide additional structural support to hold thebellows 4806 in place as it rolls back and forth under the action of theconnecting rod 2036. The bead seals 4812 a, 4812 b may extend above theeach of the faces 4810 a, 4810 b to extend a distance between the topsurface of each that is slightly larger than the width of the C-channelin the C-channel bracket 1801.

The embodiment of FIG. 18 may also feature an alternate structure tosecure the diaphragm seal 4800 within the base 1702. The partition wall1800 may feature a C-channel bracket 1801 to hold the diaphragm seal4800, as opposed to in the embodiment of FIG. 6C, wherein the first andsecond sealing plates 488, 490 are clamped together with fasteners, withthe edges of the diaphragm seal 480 being clamped therebetween. Theovermold diaphragm seal 4800 may be installed into the base by pressingthe bead seals 4812 a. 4812 b into the C-channel of the C-channelbracket 1801 to seal off the slot formed between components. The centerring 4818 of the bellows 4806 will clamp and seal onto the connectingrod maintaining a water-proof seal. The use of the integrated C-channelbracket 1801 may help simplify installation of the diaphragm seal 4800.The use of overmold technique may reduce or eliminate the need to clampa rubber diaphragm (such as those shown in FIG. 6C) between two plasticparts with fasteners. This may reduce the number of assembly parts,decreasing manufacturing and assembly costs.

The embodiment of FIG. 18 may also feature an alternate structure forconnecting the wall 200 of the base 102 to the upper housing 180. Thepartition wall 1800 forms a portion of the dry compartment 1804, whichextends from the male power connector socket 1836 to the pump assembly1814 and motor 1818 mounting areas. The diaphragm seal 480 forms theadditional seal and separation structure between the wet and drycompartments. The partition wall 1800 may take on a different shape thanthe wall 200 of the prior embodiment, which formed a completely separatecompartment from the motor and pump in the prior embodiment. Theperimeter wall of the base 1702 and the partition wall 1800 may besecured to the upper housing (not shown) with epoxy glue for mechanicalconnection and water proofing to ensure the seal and separation of thedry compartments from the wet compartment. Use of such water-proof gluemay provide a significant water proofing benefit over merely sonicallywelding the housing components. Further, the vibration reductioncomponents described above may impede the ability to create a securesonic weld of the housing components, thus making a water-proof adhesivea more attractive connective option.

Mechanical Power Transmission Assembly

Another embodiment of a mechanical power transmission assembly is shownin FIGS. 22A and 22B. Similar to the chassis 220 of FIGS. 7A and 7B, achassis 2200 supports a driven pulley 2250 which is mechanically coupledto a pinion pulley 2240 by a belt 2238. A securing bracket 2222 may helpcorrectly position the pulleys 2240, 2250 and connect the motor 1818 andthe belt drive system to the chassis 2200 by way of bosses, 2220 a, 2220b, and 2220 c. In the embodiment of FIGS. 22A-22B, the bracket 1897 ofFIG. 18 may be eliminated, as the securing bracket 2222 acts as a mainmotor bracket to secure the motor 1818 within the main unit. This allowsthe motor 1818 to mostly “float” such that vibrational resonance andnoise may be reduced. To further reduce vibrational resonance and noise,foam tape may be wrapped about the motor 1818.

A tension assembly 2200 may be used to increase the belt tension of theinstalled belt 2238 about the pulleys 2240, 2250. The tension assembly2200 may feature a tension assembly bracket 2202 which couples thetension assembly 2200 to the chassis 2220 and is positioned adjacent tothe belt 2238. The tension assembly 2200 may have an idler pulley 2201and a tension member 2203. The idler pulley 2201 may be positioned suchthat it is an inside idler, and it contacts the inside of the belt 2238,or a backside or outside idler, where it contacts the outside orbackside of the belt 2238. The idler 2201 of FIG. 22B is shown as abackside idler. In some examples, the idler pulley 2201 may be made ofbearings with a pin acting as the shaft and may be connected to thetension assembly bracket 2202. When coupled with the tension member2203, the idler pulley 2201 exerts a force on the backside of the belt2238, as the tension member 2203 is forced to expand from its normalresting spring state. This force varies as the belt 2238 is rotated bythe pinion pulley 2240. The force is smaller when the pinion pulley 2240is not rotating. The force is increased when the pinion pulley 2240begins to rotate, as the tension in the belt 2238 increases to transmitrotational power from the pinion pulley 2240 to the driven pulley 2250,The use of a spring, such as tension member 2203, allows the system toadjust to correspond to the belt tension generated from the rotationalspeed and load transmitted through the belt 2238.

Most belt drive assemblies require either a tension assembly or a methodto adjust the center distance between the driver and driven pulleys sothat the appropriate belt installation tension may be achieved. Havingthe ability to adjust the center distance between pulleys requires thatthe location of at least one of the pulleys is adjustable. Thisadjustability requirement may increase manufacturing costs, ascomponents may need to be made using tighter manufacturing tolerances,and a larger footprint may be necessary. The belt tension changes whenthe belt drive is operated as opposed to when it is stationary, and itmay vary as the load on the motor changes. The ability to use aspring-loaded tension assembly may be beneficial to help insure that thebelt drive is tensioned to the optimum tension given various loadingscenarios, particularly in an enclosed case with an inability to accessthe pulley system to adjust the tension. A belt drive that uses fixedcenter distances and does not use a tension assembly may result in animproperly tensioned belt drive, which can result in excess noise, poorperformance, increased bearing loads on bearings used with the pulleysand the associated driver and driven components, and decreased beltlife.

In some cases, the correct use of a tension assembly 2200 may helpimprove an acoustic attribute of the mechanical power transmissionassembly. A properly tensioned belt drive will likely be quieter than animproperly tensioned belt drive. The tension assembly 2200 increases thewrap angle of the belt 2238 about the pinion pulley 2240, which mayincrease the overall efficiency of the system, as more of the belt isengaged with the pinion pulley 2240 to then transmit power to the drivenpulley 2250. In addition, an increase in wrap angle may also increasethe overall tension of the belt 2238 when positioned on the pulleys2240, 2250. The increase of tension may help the belt properly seatagainst the pulleys such that a more efficient power transmission isachieved. In addition, a properly tensioned, and therefore seated, belt2238 may decrease the overall noise of the belt drive, as the belt maynot slip (if a v-belt or round belt), or the belt teeth will not jump orratchet on the pulley teeth (if using a synchronous belt). Thisarrangement may also help improve the overall life of the belt, asslippage and ratcheting may cause unnecessary damage to the belt andresult in premature failure.

The tension assembly 2200 may also help decrease overall manufacturingcosts of the oral irrigator assembly, as the dimensional tolerances onthe pulleys 2240, 2250 may be increased as the tension assembly 2200 canadjust for any changes in center distance based on dimensional changesof the pulleys 2240, 2250. In addition, the tolerances associated withthe center distance between the pulleys 2240, 2250 may be slightlyrelaxed, as the tension assembly 2200 may account for small changes indistance associated with manufacturing tolerances. The tension assemblymay also be used to account for the dimensional tolerances associatedwith the overall belt length and tooth pitch. The problem of potentialbelt stretch over the life of the belt drive is also mitigated, as aspring loaded tension assembly, such as the tension assembly 2200, maybe able to account for an increase in belt length due to stretching.

An alternate connecting rod 2036 is shown in FIG. 20. The connecting rod2036 includes a connecting end 2072 defining a cylindrical ring having aplurality of tabs 2085 extending inward from an interior surface of theconnecting end 2072. The connecting end 2072 is shaped and dimensionedto be received around the bearing race 252 (see FIG. 7B) and therebyaround the engagement boss 2160 (see FIG. 21) to rotate within thecylindrical ring of the connecting end 2072. An arm 2074 extends fromthe connecting end 2072. The arm 2074 transitions to a terminal end 2078having a ball 2080. The arm 2074 of the connecting rod 2036 may bestraight, rather than featuring the angled bend 276 in the middleportion thereof as in the first embodiment of the connecting rod 236.The alternate spacing of the internal components within the base 1702allows for the connecting rod 2036 to be straight, as opposed to theconnecting rod 236 of FIGS. 9A and 9B, which required the angled bend276 so that the reduced form factor of the oral irrigator could bemaintained. The straight arm 2074 of the connecting rod 2036 stillallows the connecting rod 2036 to pass through the center of thediaphragm seal 4818 between wet and dry compartments. The diaphragm seal4818 is positioned between the two sealing flanges 2082 b and 2082 a.The overall form factor of the base 1702 is not increased with theconnecting rod 2036 being straight, such that the desired userexperience of a reduced form factor oral irrigator is still maintained.

An alternate embodiment may also feature a driven pulley 2150 as shownin FIG. 21. Similar to driven pulley 250 of FIGS. 8A-8B, the drivenpulley 2150 may be relatively cylindrical with a plurality of teeth 2170or grip elements for enhancing frictional engagement with the belt 238.The driven pulley 2150 includes an engagement boss 2160 that extendsfrom a first surface 2158. The engagement boss 2160 may be formed as acylindrical protrusion and many include one or more ribs 2064 extendinglengthwise on an outer surface thereof. The bearing race 252 may seataround the engagement boss 2160 and is held in place by the ribs 2064. Apin aperture 2168 may be aligned with the center of the axis of thedriven pulley 2150 and the engagement boss 2160 may be offset relativethereto to form an eccentric post. The engagement boss 2160 extends awayfrom the first surface 2158 and, in some embodiments, the pin structure262 may be arranged within the engagement boss 2160 to increase thelength of the pin aperture 2168, extending through the height of theboss 2160. In some embodiments, the pin structure 2162 may be longerthan the height of the boss 2160.

The driven pulley 2150 in this embodiment as shown in FIG. 21 may be asingle molded pulley with teeth 2170 and integrated staggered flanges2199 formed on opposite sides of the ends of the teeth 2170. In oneembodiment, a staggered flange 2199 may be formed so that a flangestructure exists next to only some of the teeth 2170 surrounding thedriven pulley 2150. In some embodiments, the staggered flanges 2199 oneach side of the driven pulley 2150 are aligned with each other. In someembodiments, the staggered flanges 2199 on each side of the drivenpulley 2150 may be offset from each other, as shown in FIG. 21. Thestaggered flanges 2199 may be used to help initially determine thealignment of the drive assembly 216 during installation and also helpprevent the belt 238 from tracking off the drive assembly 216 while thebelt 238 is rotating due to belt tracking forces, thereby preventing apotential failure mode of the oral irrigator 1700. The molded drivenpulley 2150 with staggered flanges 2199 may improve the overall oralirrigator 1700 by eliminating the need for a separate flange. Theelimination of the separate flange (as shown with flange 248 andoriginal driven pulley 250 in FIG. 7B) may decrease the overallproduction cost of the driven pulley 2150 by eliminating a componentwith a certain individual part cost and the production time attributedto assembling the original driven pulley 250 and flange 248.

Pressure Control Slider

In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the rack 3800 and actuator 1140 may bemanufactured as a single element, and may be integrated to slide withrespect to the base 1702 and the pump assembly 214 as shown in greaterdetail in FIGS. 28-30. As in the prior embodiment, the teeth 3802 of therack 3800 interfaces with the teeth 3840 of the gear 3340 connected tothe pump assembly 214. In this embodiment, a gear bracket 3360 ismounted to the pump assembly 214 and the gear 3340 is mounted thereonvia a shaft extending therethrough to the the pump assembly 214. Theteeth 3840 of the gear 3340 need extend entirely around thecircumference of the gear 3340, but rather only along a bottom arc asthe travel distance of the rack 3800 need not interfaces with additionalteeth or cause additional rotation of the gear 3340. The gear bracket3360 may be formed as a vertical wall 3363 with a planar face and ahorizontal shelf 3362 extending normally from the planar face at a topedge of the vertical wall 3363. The shelf 3362 may be formed with a step3364. A first linear boss 3366 may be formed on a vertical face of thestep 3364 and lintel 3365 may extend outward from the vertical face overthe first linear boss 3366. A second linear boss 3368 may be formedalong the bottom edge of the vertical wall 3363 parallel to the firstlinear boss 3366. The absence of teeth on the top edge of the gear 3340allows additional room for the extension of the shelf 3362.

As noted above, the rack 3800 and actuator 1140 may be formed as asingle piece. The actuator 1140 may extend normally from a planar guidewall 3810. The teeth 3802 of the rack 3800 may be positioned adjacent toa bottom edge of the inner face of the guide wall 3810 extending upwardfor engagement with the teeth of the gear 3340 as shown in FIG. 30. Akick plate 3804 may extend from a bottom edge of the bed from which theteeth 3802 extend. The kick plate 3804 may be oriented parallel to theguide wall 3810 and offset from the plane of the inner face by a portionof the width of the teeth 3802.

When the actuator 1140 is assembled in the base 1702 and the teeth 3802of the rack 3800 mesh with the teeth 3840 of the gear 3340, a bottomedge 3806 of the kick plate 3804 seats upon a planar recess 1704 in thebase 1702 and travels along the planar recess 1704 as the actuator 1140is moved laterally back and forth. Similarly, the top edge of the guidewall 3810 seats against the underside of the lintel 3365 of the step3364. In this configuration, possible vertical movement of the rack 3800is constrained. Additionally, the inner face of the guide wall 3810seats against the first linear boss 3366 on the step 3364. Similarly,the inner face of the kick plate 3804 seats against the second linearboss at the bottom of the gear bracket 3360. The rack 3800 therebyglides along the first and second linear bosses 3366, 3368 as theactuator 1140 is moved back and forth This embodiment may be more robustas fewer elements are assembled together and move with respect to eachother.

Hose Latch Assembly

An alternate hose latch assembly 2300 is shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B.Instead of the leaf spring 430 and arms latch arms 436 a, 436 b of FIGS.6C, and 10, the hose latch assembly 2300 utilizes a left slider 2304 anda right slider 2306 which adjustably encase the hose connector 2310 tofluidly connect the hose connector 2310 to the reservoir 104. The leftslider 2304 has a post 2312 extending from a side of the left slider2304 around which a bias element 2316 may be positioned. The left slider2304 may also have a window 2324 which is a through-hole from a frontsurface to the rear surface. The window 2324 may be generallyrectangular shaped. The left slider 2304 may also have a hose connectorbracket 2330, which may be configured to engage with a portion of thehose connector 2310. In some examples, the hose connector bracket 2330of the left slider 2304 may be hemispherical with a concave shape curvedaway from the hose connector 2310.

The right slider 2306 may be similar in shape to the left slider 2304,with a post 2314 extending from a side of the right slider 2304 and abias element 2318 positioned about the post 2314. The right slider 2306may also have a window 2325 which is a through-hole from a front surfaceof the right slider 2306 to a rear surface. The window 2325 may begenerally rectangular shaped. The right slider 2306 may also have a hoseconnector bracket 2332. In some examples, the hose connector bracket2332 of the right slider 2306 is shaped similarly to and positionedsymmetrically opposite the hose connect bracket 2330 of the left slider2304.

An eject bracket 2308 may have a front face 2340 and a rear face 2342opposite the front face 2340. As shown in FIG. 23B, the eject bracket2308 has an upper window 2326 positioned vertically above a lower window2328. The windows 2326, 2328 may be rectangular shaped through-holeswhich extend from the front face 2340 to the rear face 2342.

As shown in FIG. 24, the eject button 2302 may feature a front face 2410opposite a rear face 2412, with a left engagement post 2402 and a rightengagement post 2404 extending from the rear face 2412. In someexamples, the left engagement post 2402 may be positioned verticallyabove the right engagement post 2404. A user engagement protrusion 2414may extend from the front face 2410. In some examples, the userengagement protrusion 2414 may be cylindrical shaped with a userengagement surface 2416 on an end opposite the front face 2410. The userengagement surface 2416 may be concave and curved away from the frontface 4210.

The left engagement post 2402 may be rectangular shaped with an end ofthe post 2402 opposite the rear face 2412 being a sloped engagementsurface. The right engagement post 2404 may be similarly shaped to theleft engagement post 2402, but with a sloped engagement surface 2408that is angled opposite the sloped engagement surface 2406 of the leftengagement post 2402.

When the hose latch assembly 2300 assembled, the left slider 2304 andthe right slider 2306 are positioned adjacent each other, with the hoseconnector bracket 2332 of the right slider 2306 adjacent to andcontacting the hose connector bracket 2330 of the left slider 2304,forming a circular shape with a diameter smaller than a largest diameterof the external flange 470 (see FIG. 10) of the hose connector 2310. Theleft engagement post 2402 of the eject button 2302 extends through theleft slider window 2324 of the left slider 2304. The right engagementpost 2404 of the eject button of the eject button 2303 extends throughthe right slider window 2325 of the eject button. The rear face 2412 ofthe eject button 2412 may be adjacent and contact the bias element 2320that is adjacent the eject bracket 2308. The eject bracket 2303 may bepositioned adjacent the left slider 2304 and on a side opposite of theeject button 2302. The left engagement post 2404 of the eject button2302 may be aligned with the upper window 2326 of the eject bracket2308. The right engagement post 2404 of the eject button 2302 may bealigned with the lower window 2328 of the eject bracket 2308.

When the hose latch assembly 2300 is use, a user may engage the userengagement surface 2416 of the eject button 2303 to release or installthe hose connector 2310. A user may contact the user engagement surface2416 of the eject button 2308 to compress the bias element 2320positioned between the eject button 2302 and the front face 2340 of theeject bracket 2308. The compression of the bias element 2320 allows theeject button 2302 to move toward the eject bracket 2308. This movementcauses the sloped engagement surface 2406 of the left engagement post2402 of the eject button 2302 to contact an edge of the left sliderwindow 2324 of the left slider 2304, forcing the left slider 2304 tocompress the bias element 2316. As the button 2302 is furthercompressed, the left slider 2304 further compresses the bias element2316, and the left slider 2304 is shifted left with respect to the ejectbutton 2308. This causes the hose connector bracket 2330 to shift to theleft as well and away from the hose connector 2310. The left engagementpost 2404 of the eject button 2302 may then extend into the upper window2326 of the eject bracket 2308.

The movement of the eject button 2302 causes a similar movement in theright slider 2306 in an opposite direction, to the right, as the leftslider 2304 is forced to move left. As the eject button 2302 isdepressed toward eject bracket 2308, the sloped engagement surface 2408of the right engagement post 2404 contacts an edge of the right sliderwindow 2325 of the right slider 2306. This contact forces the rightslider 2306 to compress the bias element 2318, and the right slider 2306is shifted away from the left slider 2304. As the eject button 2302 isfurther depressed, the right engagement post 2404 continues to contactthe right slider window 2325 and force the right slider 2306 away fromthe left slider 2304. As the right slider 2304 is moved to the right,the hose connector bracket 2332 of the right slider moves away from thehose connector 2310. Eventually, the spacing between the hose connectorbracket 2330 of the left slider 2304 and the hose connector bracket 2332of the right slider 2306 is large enough so that the flange 470 of thehose connector 2310 may be released or installed from the hose latchassembly 2300.

When a user is not contacting the eject button 2302, the hose latchassembly 2300 is biased so that the left slider 2304 and the rightslider 2306 are biased to contact each other. This allows for aninstalled hose connector 2310 to remain fluidly connected to thereservoir 104 without the user engaging the eject button 2302. Inaddition, the use of the semi-circular shape of the hose connectorbrackets 2330. 2332 block a user's view into the oral irrigator assemblywhen the hose is not connected, therefore potentially enhance asaesthetic aspect of the unit.

CONCLUSION

The foregoing description has broad application. For example, whileexamples disclosed herein may focus on a portable, reduced form factorirrigator, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosed hereinmay equally apply to other irrigating devices, such as large countertopunits or handheld units. Accordingly, the discussion of any example ismeant only to be exemplary and is not intended to suggest that the scopeof the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower,upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top,bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise,and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aidthe reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not createlimitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of theinvention. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected,and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediatemembers between a collection of elements and relative movement betweenelements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references donot necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and infixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes ofillustration only and the dimensions, positions, order, and relativesizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of theinvention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of theclaimed invention have been described above with a certain degree ofparticularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of theclaimed invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only ofparticular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structuremay be made without departing from the basic elements of the inventionas defined in the following claims.

1. An oral irrigator comprising a removable reservoir defining areservoir cavity; a base unit housing a motor and a pump; and a handlefor directing fluid flow from the pump removably connected to the baseunit and fluidly coupled to the pump by a hose, the handle furthercomprising a housing defining a slot formed in an outer wall of thehousing and bounded by two opposing walls spaced apart from each otherand a transverse wall at a terminal interior end of the opposing wallssuch that the outer wall of the housing is open to the slot at lateralsides of the two opposing walls and at a base end of the opposing wallsopposite the transverse wall; wherein in a first configuration thereservoir is coupled to a top surface of the base unit and the reservoircavity is fluidly coupled to the pump; and in a second configuration,the base unit is fluidly decoupled from the reservoir cavity and thebase unit is positioned within the reservoir cavity.
 2. The handle ofclaim 1, wherein the two opposing walls are planar.
 3. The handle ofclaim 1, wherein the two opposing walls are parallel.
 4. The handle ofclaim 2, wherein the two opposing walls are planar.
 5. The handle ofclaim 1, wherein the handle extends from a first end to a second end ina generally elongate form along a longitudinal axis and the opposingwalls defining the slot extend at an angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis.
 6. The handle of claim 1, wherein the slot ispositioned adjacent to a center of mass of the handle.
 7. The handle ofclaim 1, wherein the slot is positioned such that a length of the slotis centered between a length of the handle from a base end to a top endwhere a fluid tip attaches to the handle.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled) 14.(canceled)
 15. An oral irrigator comprising a removable reservoirdefining a reservoir cavity; a base unit housing a motor and a pump; anda power assembly in selective communication with the motor; wherein in afirst configuration the reservoir is coupled to a top surface of thebase unit, the reservoir cavity is fluidly coupled to the pump, and thepower assembly is electrically connected to the motor; and in a secondconfiguration, the base unit is fluidly decoupled from the reservoircavity, the base unit is positioned within the reservoir cavity, and thepower assembly is electrically disconnected from the motor and isreceived within a cavity defined in the base unit.
 16. The oralirrigator of claim 15, wherein in the first configuration the powerassembly is removed from the cavity in the base unit.
 17. The oralirrigator of claim 15, wherein the base unit further comprises a basemagnetic material; the power assembly comprises a retaining magneticmaterial; and the base magnetic material and the retaining magneticmaterial are aligned opposite to each other when the oral irrigator isin the second configuration and attract each other to thereby secure thepower assembly within the base unit.
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled) 20.(canceled)
 21. (canceled)
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. An oralirrigator comprising a base unit encased by a housing covering a motorand drive system positioned in a first, dry compartment formed in thebase unit housing and a pump positioned in a second, wet compartmentformed in the base unit housing; a piston connected at a first end tothe drive system and connected at a second end to the pump; a removablereservoir defining a reservoir cavity configured to mechanically coupleto a top surface of the base unit and fluidly couple the reservoircavity to the pump; and a diaphragm seal positioned between the drycompartment and the wet compartment through which the piston passes,wherein the diaphragm seal further comprises a frame of a rigid materialdefining a center aperture and having a dry face oriented toward the drycompartment and a wet face oriented toward the wet compartment; a firstelastomeric bead seal formed at least partially along and adjacent to atleast a portion of a perimeter edge of the dry face; a secondelastomeric bead seal formed at least partially along and adjacent to atleast a portion of a perimeter edge of the wet face; an elastomericbellows sealing against and extending across the center aperture, thebellows further defining a center opening configured to receive and sealabout a shaft portion of the piston.
 25. The oral irrigator of claim 24,wherein the first elastomeric bead seal, the second elastomeric beadseal, and the bellows are formed as a single, monolithic unit that isboth mechanically and adhesively attached to the frame.
 26. The oralirrigator of claim 24, further comprising a C-shaped channel bounding anopening defined in a wall of the base unit housing between the drycompartment and the wet compartment, wherein the first elastomeric beadseal and the second elastomeric bead seal seat against opposing walls ofthe C-shaped channel to form a fluid=tight seal between the wetcompartment and the dry compartment.
 27. The oral irrigator of claim 26,wherein the frame further comprises a top edge that is joined to a topwall of the base unit housing via a first weld joint; and the terminaledges of the opposing walls of the C-channel are joined to a top wall ofthe base unit housing via a second weld joint.
 28. An oral irrigatorcomprising a base unit housing a motor and a pump; a removable reservoirdefining a reservoir cavity configured to mechanically couple to a topsurface of the base unit and fluidly couple the reservoir cavity to thepump; a handle for directing fluid flow from the pump removablyconnected to the base unit and fluidly coupled to the pump by a hose; afirst poppet valve in a removable connector attached at a first end tothe hose and releasably attached at a second end to a port in the baseunit in fluid communication with the pump, wherein the first poppetvalve is configured to open in response to fluid under pressure receivedfrom the pump to allow fluid to flow through the hose to the handle andconfigured to close in the absence of fluid under pressure received fromthe pump; and a second poppet valve positioned in the port andconfigured to open in response to connection with the connector andconfigured to close when the connector is removed from the port
 29. Theoral irrigator of claim 30 further comprising a shuttle valve positionedin the base unit in fluid communication with the pump at a first end andwith the reservoir at a second end, wherein the shuttle valve isconfigured to block a primary fluid flow passage to the reservoir whenthe pump provides a positive pressure stroke and is configured to openthe primary fluid flow passage to the reservoir when the pump provides anegative pressure stroke; and a third poppet valve housed in a valvecavity defined within the shuttle valve, wherein the third poppet valveis configured to block fluid flow from the reservoir through the valvecavity and is configured to open and allow fluid flow through the valvecavity toward the reservoir when fluid pressure at the first end of theshuttle valve exceeds a threshold pressure.
 30. The oral irrigator ofclaim 30, wherein the connector is configured to rotate with respect tothe port when connected thereto.